Goon's World Extras

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Hard to make NHL bonuses (Phil Kessel mention)

I found this article while reading the Boston Globe on-line. Seems that is tough sledding when it comes to making bonuses on an NHL contract. So when you read that player X will be paid so many of millions of dollars including when his bonuses (if he reaches it) be aware that it is harder than it looks.

Last Tuesday, No. 1 overall pick Steven Stamkos signed a three-year, entry-level deal with Tampa Bay. Stamkos will earn a base salary of $875,000, but his annual cap hit will be $3.725 million because of potential bonuses, giving the forward a cap number greater than all but seven Bruins.

Stamkos, however, will likely have a hard time attaining all of his bonuses, given how difficult reaching those incentives can be.

Case in point: Phil Kessel and his $2.2 million cap hit. Kessel, who earns a base salary of $850,000, is entering the final season of his entry-level deal. Through two NHL seasons, Kessel has not qualified for any of his bonuses.

In 2008-09, Kessel could reach some of the incentives. He can earn an additional $212,500 if he scores 20 or more goals, a bonus he came one goal short of earning last season. Kessel can also make $212,500 if he records 35 or more assists, and another $212,500 if he scores 60 or more points. Naturally, Kessel is no longer eligible for the $212,500 bonus for making the All-Rookie team. While Kessel is in range of hitting the previously mentioned bonuses, it's unlikely - although the Bruins certainly wouldn't mind if he proves the contrary - that he will earn a $500,000 bonus by being named the Selke Trophy winner as the league's best defensive forward.

Conclusion: Under the collective bargaining agreement, high-end rookies carry significant cap numbers. But other than exceptions named Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, the bonuses can be hard to reach.